The Governor of Rio Grande do Norte, Fátima Bezerra, announced during a national council meeting that the edital for the public competition of the Penal Police will be released in March. This competition will aim to fill 300 vacancies within the State Administration Penitentiary Secretariat (Seap), which was authorized in October of the previous year. The news was shared at the 17th Ordinary Meeting of the National Council of State Secretaries of Justice, Citizenship, Human Rights, and Penitentiary Administration held in Natal, bringing together key policymakers from across Brazil.

Since taking office in 2019, Governor Bezerra has overseen the appointment of 267 penal police officers, emphasizing a commitment to reinforcing security and justice in the state. This upcoming selection process is seen as a crucial step in enhancing the capabilities of the public safety sector in Rio Grande do Norte, which has faced challenges regarding crime and governance in the past. Furthermore, the announcement confirms the government's proactive stance in addressing personnel needs within the penal system, which is vital for maintaining order and efficacy.

The planned increase in personnel through this competition reflects broader trends in Brazilian public security policy where there is a focus on strengthening law enforcement resources. As discussions on public safety continue, the appropriate assembly of skilled penal police will be critical in shaping the immediate and future landscape of public safety measures in Rio Grande do Norte and beyond, particularly as stakeholders consider the current societal context of crime and rehabilitation within Brazilian prisons.